Belgium: EU names head of maritime capacity building in Horn of Africa

Brussels, Belgium (PANA) – The European Commission on Tuesday announced the appointment of Ms Maria-Cristina Stepanescu, a senior police officer from Romania, as Head of the European Union (EU) mission on regional maritime capacity building in the Horn of Africa, EUCAP Nestor.

Ms. Stepanescu will take up her duties from Acting Head Simonetta Silvestri on 1 September 2016, according to a statement issued by the Commission.

The mission forms part of the EU's comprehensive approach to fighting piracy in the Horn of Africa, alongside the EU Naval Force Somalia and the EU training mission for Somalia.

EUCAP Nestor works to reinforce the capacity of Somalia to effectively govern its territorial waters in order to help them fight piracy more effectively. This includes advice, mentoring and training for the coast guard, maritime criminal justice system and coastal police.
-0- PANA AR/MA 26July2016